I don’t like people who impose vegetarianism and veganism
You should though
It’s hilarious how lemmy users generally think of themselves as left wing but refuse to admit that veganism is both morally and sustainably the better option
See, there’s that religion creeping in again.
Morals, that’s religion right there, and when a religion starts from the default of assuming it’s the only right answer, it’s a shit religion, no matter what other arguments are involved.
would you get mad if someone kicked a dog for fun? Would it upset you if someone punched you in the face or stole your stuff? If so gtfo with that religious attitude, morals are only related to religion and the rest of us enlightened atheists can do anything we want
edit: to be clear, morals are important and good when they’re constructed rationally to protect sentient beings (human and non-human) from exploitation and abuse. Religious morals are deeply problematic because they’re not constructed rationally, and they try to restrict consenting adults from doing certain things together and they allow other horrific behaviors as totally fine. There’s a large, meaningful difference between animal rights and religious morals
Morals is not religion. If anything I vehemently dispute religion claiming any ownership of morals. See Plato on morals for more details. But I would say that highest of morals is the highest well-being of humans. This would apply not only from philosophical approach but also from an evolutionary one.
Having said that, I don’t believe eating meat is immoral. It is how we evolved, and eating meat is part of what is to be human.
I think most are willing to admit that. Admission does not equal conversation, though. I’m in that camp, but I am trying to cook more vegetarian meals – nowhere near 100%, but progress is progress.
Edit: I should clarify that I’m concerned with the environmental impact. I have no moral issues with eating meat. Environmentally, we’ve seen overwhelming evidence that vegetarianism would be beneficial, and that is why I am making an effort.
I think anyone who has lived on or around a farm, or has just come to understand everything involved, would have a problem “admitting” that. Non-Factory farming in a modern country is dramatically benefited from having meat livestock alongside the vegetables, not to mention that there isn’t really any better use for marginal land than to have farm animals like cattle on it. In fact, there are arguments that cattle on marginal land are better for the environment than leaving the land unused because they are better able to sequester carbon than nothing. The environmental discussion that is “clearly pro-vegan” requires bringing in countries that are downright backwards and use their behaviors to overwhelm the many countries where animal ranching provide overall benefit.
And there’s as many Ethical arguments for meat eating as there are for veganism. The “big” argument for veganism here is the classic Utilitarian argument for veganism, but it has easily been beaten by Negative Utilitarian and straight-Utilitarian counters.
And since many of us aren’t Christian or adherents to any Divine Command theory, “morality” is itself unethical and unsustainable to us.
But you see, this time it’s inconvenient to me personally, so I will defend my habits and fight for them to never change even if it means suffering to others, even if the evidence that is harmful are obvious and out there. What do you mean “definition of conservatism”?
Veganism isn’t so much a “dietary preference” as a way of life that recognizes animals as sentient beings and aims to minimize their suffering as much as possible (i.e. it’s not only about not eating them).
That aside: In my experience, giving a shit about the well-being of others, regardless of race or species, isn’t exactly common on the political right.
